1. Cholelithiasis
Nursingcasestudy.blogspot.com

2. TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER I – OBJECTIVES AND INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER II – ASSESSMENT
A. Nursing Health History
Personal Data
Past Medical History
Present Medical History
Family Health History
B. Physical Assessment
C. Laboratory Exams
D. Anatomy and Physiology
E. Pathophysiology
CHAPTER III - PLANNING
A. List of Prioritized Nursing Diagnosis
B. Nursing Care Plan
C. Drug Study
CHAPTER IV – IMPLEMENTATION
A. Discharge Planning

3. CHAPTER I
OBJECTIVES
We did this case study for us to enhance our knowledge and to
understand more information about Cholecystectomy, thus to give us an idea of
how we could give proper nursing care for our clients with this condition, and so
that we could apply them on our future exposures as students and eventually as
nurses. We also did this case study as a part of our requirement in our clinical
exposure.
INTRODUCTION
We, group 2 of A314, students of Jose Rizal University would like to
thank Mandaluyong City Medical Center. And also to our Clinical Instructor, Ma’am
Virginia Rey, for her patience in teaching us and making sure we learn the most
from our clinical exposure.
The purpose of this case study is to be familiar with a patient that
undergo Cholecystectomy; How it start, what are the causes and what are the signs
and symptoms; especially how to prevent, treat and manage the patient by giving
medication for treatment and providing rapport. We chose this case study because
this is the first time that we’ve encountered a case like this in our entire rotation.

4. CHAPTER II – ASSESSMENT
A. NURSING HEALTH HISTORY
PERSONAL DATA
Name: L. M.
Age: 24 years old
Sex: Male
Address: Mandaluyong City
Civil Status: Married
Nationality: Filipino
Religion: Roman Catholic
Birth Place: Pampanga
Admission:
Date: December 31, 2007
Time: 3pm at ER
Admitting Diagnosis:
- T/C Ascending Cholangitis
Choledolithiasis cystic duct stones
- S/P Papillotomy with stone extraction
Attending Physician: Dr. Buelva
PAST MEDICAL HISTORY
The patient is a smoker and alcohol drinker but stopped 2 years ago.
The patient stated that he was confined at Mandaluyong City Medical
Center because of jaundice and stomachache. Then after 4 hours in the
operating room, he was transferred to UERM.
PRESENT MEDICAL HISTORY
- The patient was admitted December 31, 2007 at 3pm with a chief
complaint of abdominal pain.
- 1 day PTA, the patient developed fever and vomiting with abdominal
pain; epigastric area radiating to RUQ area.
- Patient consulted at the Emergency Room, Patient was managed at ER
and subsequently admitted.

5. FAMILY HEALTH HISTORY
The patient stated that his family has a history of liver cirrhosis. He also
stated that they don’t have a history of Diabetes, Tuberculosis and other
hereditary disease.
B. PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT
VITAL SIGNS
Normal Finding Outcome Analysis
Body
Temperature
37°C 37.7°C Increase in temp.
indicates infection
Pulse Rate (80) 60-100 bpm 103 bpm Increased pulse rate
indicates Tachycardia
Respiration (16) 12-20 cpm 36 cpm Increased respiration
indicates Tachypnea
Blood Pressure 120/80 mmHg 120/80 mmHg Normal
HEAD TO TOE ASSESSMENT
Skin
Uniform color with slightly warmer than normal temperature, dry and
smooth. No scars and hairs are evenly distributed.
Nails
Pale and Clean
Head and Face
The skull is proportionate to body size, no tenderness and there is a scar.
Hair is oily, thick and evenly distributed. Face is symmetrical with
symmetrical facial movement.

6. Eyes
The client has straight normal eye condition; with yellowish sclera. Pupil is
black in color and equal in size. Have thin eyebrows.
Nose
The nasal septum is in the midline, mucosa is moist.
Mouth
The lips are pale and dry, symmetrical, pale mucosa, tongue is in midline.
Neck
The skin is uniform in color. Neck muscles are equal in size. No
tenderness and masses upon palpation.
Breast and Axilla
No masses and tenderness upon palpation
Abdomen
Uniform in color. There is a wound dressing at RUQ, dry and intact.
Upper Extremities
There is resistance for muscle strength.
Lower Extremities
*Not done because of present condition*

7. C. LABORATORY EXAMINATIONS
COMPLETE BLOOD COUNT
HEMATOLOGY NORMAL VALUES RESULT INTERPRETATION
HEMOGLOBIN 120 – 170 g/L 53 Decreased protein production causing jaundice
HEMATOCRIT 0.37 – 0.54 0.18 Decreased because the patient have a bile infection
RED BLOOD CELL 4.0 – 6.0 x 1012L 1.96 Decreased oxygen production due to bile infection
that cause anemia
WHITE BLOOD CELL 4.5 – 10 x 109L 33.2 Increase because infection started
DIFFERENTIAL
COUNT
NEUTROPHILS
(segmenters)
0.38 – 0.68 0.70 Slightly increase because of WBC elevation
LYMPHOCYTES 0.22 – 0.53 0.30 Normal range
EOSINOPHILS 0.01 - 0.07 NOT DONE NOT DONE
MONOCYTES 0.05 - 0.12 NOT DONE NOT DONE
BASOPHILS 0.002 - 0.01 NOT DONE NOT DONE
STABS 0.0 - 0.05 NOT DONE NOT DONE

8. DEFINITION OF TERMS INDICATED IN THE LABORATORY EXAMINATION
COMPLETE BLOOD COUNT (CBC):
A complete blood count (CBC), also known as full blood count (FBC) or full
blood exam (FBE) or blood panel, is a test requested by a doctor or other
medical professional that gives information about the cells in a patient's
blood. A Medical technologist performs the requested testing and provides
the requesting Medical Professional with the results of the CBC. A CBC is also
known as a "hemogram".
The cells that circulate in the bloodstream are generally divided into three
types: white blood cells (leukocytes), red blood cells (erythrocytes), and
platelets or thrombocytes. Abnormally high or low counts may indicate the
presence of many forms of disease, and hence blood counts are amongst the
most commonly performed blood tests in medicine.
RED BLOOD CELLS (ERYTHROCYTES):
Are the most common type of blood cells and the vertebrate body’s principal
means of delivering oxygen from the lungs or grills to body tissue via blood.
The number of red cells is given as an absolute number per litre.
HEMOGLOBIN:
Is a protein that is carried by the red cells. It picks up oxygen in the lungs
and delivers it to the peripheral tissues to maintain the viabilty of the cells.
The amount of hemoglobin in the blood, expressed in grams per litre. (Low
hemoglobin is called anemia.)
HEMATOCRIT OR PACKED CELL VOL. (PCV):
This is the fraction of whole blood volume that consists of red blood cells.
WHITE BLOOD CELLS (LEUKOCYTES):
Are cells of the immune system which defend the body against both
infectious disease and foreign materials.
All the white cell types are given as a percentage and as an absolute number
per litre.
A complete blood count with differential will also include:
NEUTROPHILS:
This is the main defender of the body against infection and antigens. High
levels may indicate an active infection.
May indicate bacterial infection. May also be raised in acute viral infections.
LYMPHOCYTES:
Is a type of blood cell in the vertebrate immune system.
Elevated levels may indicate an active viral infections.
Higher with some viral infections such as glandular fever and. Also raised in
lymphocytic leukaemia CLL.

9. MONOCYTES:
May be raised in bacterial infection
Is a leukocyte, part of the immune system that protects against bloodborne
pathogens and moves quickly to sites of infections in the tissue.
Elevated levels may indicate an allergic reactions or parasites.
EOSINOPHILS:
Are white blood cells of the immune system that are responsible for
combating infection by parasites in vertebrates. They are granulocytes that
develop in the bone marrow before migrating into blood.
Increased in parasitic infections.
High levels are found in allergic reactions.
BASOPHILS:
Circulates vhite blood cells.
Basophils degranulate to release histamine, proteoglycans (e.g. heparin and
chondroitin), and proteolytic enzymes (e.g. elastase and lysophospholipase).
They also secrete lipid mediators like leukotrienes, and several cytokines.
PLATELET COUNT:
Platelets or thrombocytes are the cell fragments circulating in the blood that
are involved in the cellular mechanisms of primary hemostasis leading to the
formation of blood clots. Dysfunction or low levels of platelets predisposes to
bleeding, while high levels, although usually asymptomatic, may increase the
risk of thrombosis.
Functions of Platelets can be generalised into a number of categories:
Adhesion, Aggregation, Clot retraction, Pro-Coagulation, Cytokine signalling,
Phagocytosis.
A normal platelet count in a healthy person is between 150,000 and 400,000
per mm³ of blood (150–400 x 109/L). 95% of healthy people will have
platelet counts in this range. Some will have statistically abnormal platelet
counts while having no abnormality, although the likelihood increases if the
platelet count is either very low or very high.
Low platelet counts are generally not corrected by transfusion unless the
patient is bleeding or the count has fallen below 5 x 109/L; it is
contraindicated in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) as it fuels the
coagulopathy. In patients having surgery, a level below 50 x 109/L) is
associated with abnormal surgical bleeding, and regional anaesthetic
procedures such as epidurals are avoided for levels below 80-100.
RED BLOOD CELL MORPHOLOGY:
Also known as Blood Smear, and Manual differential.
Was once prepared on nearly everyone who had a complete blood count
(CBC) performed. With the automated blood cell counting instruments
currently used, an automated differential is also provided. However, if the
presence of abnormal WBCs, RBCs, or platelets is suspected, a blood smear

10. examined by a trained eye is still the best method for definitively evaluating
and identifying immature and abnormal cells.
Findings from the blood smear evaluation are not always diagnostic in
themselves and more often indicate the presence of an underlying condition
and its severity and suggest the need for further diagnostic testing. Blood
smear findings may include: RBC, WBC and differential count.
PERIPHERAL SMEAR:
- A Peripheral smear is a blood test that gives information about the number
and shape of blood cells.
URINALYSIS REPORT
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION:
Color- amber
Transparency- turbid
PH- 6.0
sp.gr- 1.020
CHEMICAL EXAMINATION:
Leukocytes-
Albumin- negative
Ketons-
Billirubin- positive (+++)
Nitnte-
Sugar- negative
Urobilinogen-
Blood-
MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION:
Epithelial cells- occasional
Mucus thread-
Amorphous urates-
PUS or WBC- 0-1/hpf
RBC-
Casts-
Crystals-
Bacteria- moderate

11. LABORATORY MEDICINE (CLINICAL CHEMISTRY I)
Test SI Values
Result Ref. Values
Conventional Values
Result Ref. Values
Urea nitrogen 8.30 1.70-8.30mmol/L 49.84 10-50mg/dL
Creatinine 116.30 80-115umol/L 1.31 0.9-1.29mg/dL
Sodium 129.50 135-148mmol/L 129.50 135-148meg/L
Potassium 4.54 3.5-5.3mmol/L 4.54 3.5-5.3meg/L
ELECTROLYTES
Result Ref. Values
Sodium 138.8 135-145mmol/L
Potassium 4.48 3.5-5.3
X-RAY
Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatogram
Plain film is unremarkable. ERCP shows good filling of the common, right &
left hepatic ducts. The common bile duct & common hepatic duct are slightly
dilated. No evidence of lithiasis & filling defects are noted.
ULTRA SOUND
EXAMINATION 4 ORGANS: (Liver, Gallbladder, Biliary tree, and Pancreas)
The liver is normal in size and outline. The hepatorenal interface is intact.
Parenchumal echogenicity is increased w/ no focal mass or calcifications
seen. Intrahepatic duct are dilated. The common bile duct has diameter of
1.2cm.
The gallbladder is normal in size & configuration, the wall is smooth & not
thickened. There are two shadowing hypere chor foci seen in the area of
gallbladder neck/cystic duct measuring about 1.1cm & 0.9cm.
The pancreas is not well visualized in this study due to abundant bowel gas
obscuring it.
IMPRESSION:
1) Fatty infiltrative changes of the liver considered.
2) Biliary tract obstruction most likely secondary to lithiasis formation. Exact
location not well determined.
3) Lithiase formation in the gallbladder neck/cystic duct.

12. BLOOD TRANSFUSION
Patient blood type: “O”
Donor’s serial no.: 2002-206631
Donor’s blood type: “O”
Donor’s Rh type: Rh (+) positive
Blood bank source: PNRC
Donor’s screening result:
Malaria- Negative HIV testing- non reactive
RPR/VDRL- Non negative HCV testing- non reactive
Blood component: WB/PRBC
Extraction date: 01-04-08
Date/time packed: 01-04-08
Expiration date: 24 Hrs. after packing
Broad spectrum compatibility testing result:
Saline phase- compatibility
Protein phase- “
Antihuman globulin phase- “
Direct Antiglobulin test- “
Inderict Antigobulin test- “
ELECTROCARDIOGRAM (ECG)
Done & recorded
COMPLETE BLOOD GLUCOSE (CBG)
Done and recorded

13. D. ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
Removal of the Gallbladder?
In some cases, the gallbladder must be removed. The surgery to
remove the gallbladder is called a cholecystectomy (pronounced co-lee-sist-
eck-toe-mee). In a cholecystectomy, the gallbladder is removed through a 5-
to 8-inch long cut in your abdomen.
Once the gallbladder is removed, bile is delivered directly from the
liver ducts to the upper part of the intestine.

14. Function of liver
The liver has many functions. Some of the functions are: to produce
substances that break down fats, convert glucose to glycogen, produce urea
(the main substance of urine), make certain amino acids (the building blocks
of proteins), filter harmful substances from the blood (such as alcohol),
storage of vitamins and minerals (vitamins A, D, K and B12) and maintain a
proper level or glucose in the blood. The liver is also responsible fore
producing cholesterol. It produces about 80% of the cholesterol in your body.
Function of gall bladder
The function of the gallbladder is to store bile and concentrate. Bile is
a digestive liquid continually secreted by the liver. The bile emulsifies fats
and neutralizes acids in partly digested food. A muscular valve in the
common bile duct opens, and the bile flows from the gallbladder into the
cystic duct, along the common bile duct, and into the duodenum (part of the
small intestine).
Function of duodenum
The duodenum is largely responsible for the breakdown of food in the
small intestine. Brunner's glands, which secrete mucus, are found in the
duodenum. The duodenum wall is composed of a very thin layer of cells that
form the muscularis mucosae. The duodenum is almost entirely
retroperitoneal. The pH in the duodenum is approximately six. It also
regulates the rate of emptying of the stomach via hormonal pathways.
Function of pancreas
The pancreas is a small organ located near the lower part of the
stomach and the beginning of the small intestine. This organ has two main
functions. It functions as an exocrine organ by producing digestive enzymes,
and as an endocrine organ by producing hormones, with insulin being the
most important hormone produced by the pancreas.

15. The pancreas secretes its digestive enzymes, through a system of
ducts into the digestive tract, while it secretes its variety of hormones
directly into the bloodstream.
Abnormal pancreatic function can lead to pancreatitis or diabetes
mellitus.
Function of cystic duct
Bile can flow in both directions between the gallbladder and the
common hepatic duct and the (common) bile duct.
In this way, bile is stored in the gallbladder in between meal times and
released after a fatty meal.
Function of transverse colon
The large intestine comes after the small intestine in the digestive
tract and measures approximately 1.5 meters in length. Although there are
differences in the large intestine between different organisms, the large
intestine is mainly responsible for storing waste, reclaiming water,
maintaining the water balance, and absorbing some vitamins, such as
vitamin K.

16. C. DRUG STUDY
Name of Drug: Ceftriaxone
Phil. Brand: Rocephin, Patrixon
Therapeutic Class: Anti-infective
Indication: Treatment of susceptible infections including chancroid,
gastroenteritis (invasive salmonellosis, shegilosis), lyme disease,
meningitis (including meningococcal magnetism prophylaxis),
syphilis, typhoid fever, whipple’s disease. Pre-operative
prophylaxis to reduce chance of post-operative surgical infections.
Dosage: Adult usual dosage – 1g/day in a single injection and up to 2g/day
once daily according to the infection
severity and the patient’s body weight.
Contraindication: Ceftriaxone is contraindicated in patients with
hypersensitivity to cephalosporins and penicillins, lidocaine
or any other local anesthetic product of the amide type.
Adverse Reaction: Pain, induration, phlebitis after IV administration, rash,
diarrhea, eosinophilia, casts in urine, thrombocytosis and
leukopenia
Nursing Responsibilities: Use with caution in patients with history of
gastrointestinal disease
Name of Drug: Ketorolac
Phil. Brand: Acular, Kortezor, Toradol
Therapeutic Class: Analgesic
Indication: Short term management of moderate to severe acute post
operative pain
Dosage: IM injection – adult less than 35 yrs: 60mg, greater than 35
yrs:30mg. IV injection - adult less than 65 yrs: 30mg. Adults
more than 65 yrs: 15mg
Contraindication: Active peptic ulcer disease, recent gastrointestinal bleeding
or perforatin, moderate to severe renal impairment, hypovolemia
or dehydration
Adverse Reaction: Gastrointestinal ulceration, bleeding and perforation, post-
operative bleeding. Hypertension, pruritus, rash, GI disturbances,
nausea, dyspepsia, diarrhea, headache, drowsiness, dizziness,
sweating, edema
Nursing Responsibilities: Check if the client takes the medication. Check for
the doctor’s order and if it is the right patient. Observe for any
effect and if any side effects occur inform physician.

17. Name of Drug: Tramadol
Phil. Brand: Dolotral, Milador, Peptrad, Sivedol, Tradonal, Tramal
Therapeutic Class: Analgesic
Indication: Used for moderate to severe pain
Dosage: Usual dose by mouth are 50 to 100 mg every 4-6 hrs. Total daily
dosage by mouth should not exceed 400 mg.
Contraindication: Hypersensitivity. Acute intoxication with alcohol,
hypnotics, centrally acting analgesics, opioids, or psychotropic
agents.
Adverse Reaction: Vasodilation; dizziness/vertigo, headache, somnolence,
stimulation, anxiety, confusion, coordination disturbances,
euphoria, nervousness, sleep disorder, seizures.
Nursing Responsibilities: Give with antiemetic for nausea, vomiting.
Administer when pain is beginning to return; determine dosage
interval by patient response
Name of Drug: Ranitidine
Phil. Brand: Ceranid, Cygran, Drug Maker’s Biotech Ranitidine, Incid, Pharex
Ranitidine, Ramadine, Raxide, Ulcin, Zantac/Zantac FR
Zantac 75/Zantac Ampule
Therapeutic Class: Gastrointestinal Drug
Indication: Used in the management of various gastrointestinal disorders
such as dyspepsia, gastro-esophagealreflux disease (GERD),
peptic ulcer, and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
Dosage: Tablet/Fast-release (FR) tablet: Adult duodenal/gastric ulcer 150mg
twice a day or 300mg at bedtime for 4 wks. Maintenance 150mg
at bedtime. NSAID-associated peptic ulcer 150mg twice a day or
300mg at bedtime for 8-12 wks. For children, 2-4mg/kg 3x a day.
Route: Oral; may be given with or without meals. Give antacids 1hr before or
1hr after this drug. IV: give by direct IV after diluting 50mg/20mL
of 0.9% D5W, NaCl over 5 mins or more
Contraindication: Hypersensitivity. History of acute porphyria. Long-term
therapy.
Adverse Reaction: Cardiac arrhytmias, bradycardia. Headache, somnolence,
fatigue, dizziness, hallucinations, depression, insomnia.
Nursing Responsibilities: Advice patient to not take any new medication
during therapy without consulting a physician. Allow 1hr between
any other antacids and ranitidine.

18. CHAPTER IV – IMPLEMENTATION
DISCHARGE PLANNING
M – MEDICINE
- Advice patient to continue taking his prescribed medicines like
Ceftriaxone and Tramadol.
E – ENVIRONMENT AND EXERCISE
- Maintain a quiet, pleasant, environment to promote relaxation.
- Provide clean and comfortable environment.
- Encourage walking everyday.
T – TREATMENT
- Continue home medications.
- Teach patient about wound care
- Encourage patient to take multivitamins for immunity
H – HEALTH TEACHING
- Provide written and oral instructions about wound care, activity,
diet recommendations, medications, and follow-up visits.
- Instruct patient to limit his activity for 24 to 48 hrs after discharge.
O – OUT PATIENT FOLLOW-UP
- Patient will be advised to go back in the hospital in a specific date
to have a follow-up check up after discharge.
- Consult doctor for are any problems or complications encountered.
D – DIET
- Encourage patient to increase protein intake for tissue repair
- Advice patient to eat smaller-than-normal amounts of food at
mealtime.
S – SPIRITUALITY
- Encourage patient to communicate with God.
- Encourage patient to communicate with other people.

19. CHAPTER III - PLANNING
A. LIST OF PRIORITIZED NURSING DIAGNOSIS
Priority: 1. Acute pain
2. Anxiety
B. NURSING CARE PLAN
Assessment Nursing
Diagnosis
Planning Nursing
Intervention
Rationale Evaluation
Subjective:
“Samasakit ang
tahi ko sa
tiyan”as
verbalized by the
patient.
Objective:
>Temp. 37.7°c
>RR: 36 cpm
>PR: 103 bpm
>BP: 120/80
>(+)Facial
Grimace
>Irritable
Pain Scale:
>5/10
Pain discomfort,
related to
surgical incision.
> After 3hrs. of
Nursing
Intervention the
pain will be
lessen.
Pain scale
> 5/10 to 3/10
> Monitor v/s of
the patient
> Encourage
verbalization of
feelings about
pain.
> Provide non-
pharmacological
Therapies ex.:
Radio, Books,
Socialization w/
others.
> Provide calm
activities.
> If all the above
doesn’t work,
Administer
analgesic.
> To obtain
baseline data
> To lessen the
pain of the
patient.
> To relax &
provide comfort
to the patient.
> To lessen the
pain of the
patient.
> Analgesic can
lessen the pain.
> After 3hrs. of
Nursing
Intervention the
pain will be
lessen.
Pain Scale
> 5/10 to 3/10

20. ASSESSMENT NURSING
DIAGNOSIS
PLANNING NURSING
INTERVENTION
RATIONALE EVALUATION
Subjective:
“Nahihirapan ako
ngayon sa sakit
ko”. As
verbalized by the
patient.
Objective:
Vital signs taken
and recorded:
BP: 120/80
PR: 103 BPM
RR: 36 CPM
Temp: 37.7°C
Anxiety related to
change in health
status, as
evidence by fear
of specified
consequence.
Short term:
At the end of
5Hrs. of nursing
intervention
patient will be
able to reduce
anxiety.
Long term:
After two weeks
of nursing care,
patient will be
able to accept
changes in health
status.
> Assess
patient’s level of
anxiety.
> Place patient in
comfortable
position.
> Provide non-
pharmacological
Therapies such
as:
T.V, Radio,
Books,
Socialization w/
others.
> Provide calm
activities.
> Provide health
teaching about
hepatitis disease.
> To establish
baseline data.
> To help the
patient have
adequate period
of rest and sleep.
> To relax &
provide comfort
to the patient.
> Can lessen the
anxiety of the
patient.
> To give more
information about
his health status.
Short term:
At the end of
5Hrs. of nursing
intervention
patient was able
to reduce feeling
of anxiety.
Long term:
After two weeks
of nursing care,
patient was able
to accept
/understand his
health status.

21. E. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
Middle age (female > male before age 50),
obesity, infection, pregnancy, hormonal
contraceptive, celiac disease. Cirrhosis,
pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus
Cholelithiasis
Refers to the formation of calculi
(e.g. gallstones in the gallbladder)
Major constituents are cholesterol and
pigment
Cholecystectomy
Removal of the
gallbladder after
ligation of the
cystic duct
Gallstone in bile
duct
Bile stasis
Body will return to
normal function
Recovery
Bile accumulates
in the liver
Cholestatic
Biliary
cirrhosis
Bacterial
proliferation
Gallbladder and
duct infection
Rupture of
gallbladder
Cholecystitis
if
Peritonitis Death
Abnormal fat
digestion
Diarrhea
Pain Fever Nausea and
vomiting
Gastric irritation
There is restlessness
and Increase in RR,
temp, PR and WBC
values
Jaundice
Increase
bilirubin
There is inflammation
due to infection
If not treated